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Miller noted, however, that counterterror preparations “have been going on for 13 years” in New York City since the Sept. 11 attacks.

“We have a distinct advantage in that there are a thousand people in the NYPD who work counterterrorism matters on a daily basis, hundreds more in the FBI who are dedicated to that not in a part-time way, but in a constant way,” he said.

Miller also said he spoke earlier in the day with New South Wales (Australia) Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, who “went over for me a lot of the tactical considerations and what happened.”

But he declined to elaborate, saying that “if we share them with you, which is a good thing, we’re also sharing them with people who may be out there thinking of something like this.”

Two victims were killed during Monday’s hostage ordeal inside a Lindt Chocolat Cafe, including manager Tori Johnson, who reportedly was shot while trying to grab the gunman’s shotgun.

Lawyer Katrina Dawson, a mother of three, was also slain, reportedly while shielding a pregnant pal.

The hostage taker, a self-styled Muslim cleric, was gunned down by cops who stormed the restaurant when bullets started flying.

A policeman outside the cafe

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Police respond to the hostage situation at the cafe in Sydney.

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Armed police evacuate employees from the offices next to the cafe.

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Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott speaks to the media during a press conference.

EPA

Police close a street near the cafe.

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People standing behind a police cordon look toward the Lindt Cafe.

Reuters

Armed police stand at the ready near the cafe under siege.

AP

Armed police evacuate office staff next to the cafe.

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Armed police evacuate employees from the offices next to the cafe.

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Construction workers gather in front of the Sydney Opera House after being evacuated.